Pages

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Why I Home Educate

I began this post over a month ago, and have come back to it over and over again, trying to write it in a way that expresses what I feel, and sounds neither arrogant nor condemning. Please forgive me if I have failed.

Why do I homeschool?

I have pondered this question often, perhaps even more so recently as I look hard at my life and my goals for my children. Of all the questions I get about homeschooling, this is the one they never ask. Perhaps they don't want to know. Perhaps they think I will make them feel guilty. Perhaps they already know the answer, or think they know the answer. When I look at my choice, I often think about how quick some are to "evangelize" the world about homeschooling; feeling compelled to personally convince everyone around them they have made the right choice, or to convince others they should make the same choice themselves. That is not a desire I have ever really had. I do not feel the need to "preach" to anyone about homeschooling, and I think most of my non-homeschool friends would agree (at least I hope they would agree!) that I do not make it my business to convince anyone who does not have the desire. I will defend my decision without hesitation when called upon to do so. I will answer questions about homeschooling, I will give advice if asked, but it is not my place to convince someone else that my decision is right for them also. So again, I ask myself, why have we chosen to educate our children at home?

The answer is easy, and yet so very complicated.

I home educate because it is the right thing to do. I say that not with condemnation or judgment - just conviction that for my children it is the right thing to do. There are many other explanations I can give - but ultimately for me, it is a matter of feeling as if God has put me in a place where my purpose right now is to train up my children in the way they should go. I feel that I cannot effectively do that when someone else (who does not share my faith, values and beliefs) spends more time with my children than I do.

So, why do I homeschool?

I want our children to learn to walk in the Orthodox faith and become saints.

I want them to see that nothing in life comes before their love and dedication to God and His Church.

I want them to see that all learning is for God's glory, all learning exists for GOD.

I want them to learn to read so they can read the Holy Scripture and the lives of those who have walked before us and given their lives in the pursuit of eternal life.

I want them to learn grammar and spelling, logic and rhetoric, so they are able to become effective speakers and writers, and defend their faith to those who persecute them. That they, like St. Katherine, may baffle and win over even the great philosophers with the simple truth of God.

I want them to learn history so they may see God's hand over all, his love for his people and his wrath when they reject Him.

I want them to learn science and math so they may understand that we worship a God of order, not chaos; so they may stand in awe before the mind of God, so beyond our understanding.

I want them to experience the great masters of art and music, so they can see that we worship a God of beauty and harmony, and to strive toward that beauty and harmony in all areas of life.

I want them to read great literature so they may see how every story is just a part of the only story; so they may learn to discern truth and recognize when God is absent that truth becomes distorted.

There are many other reasons why I love homeschooling, but they are merely "benefits" to the job - extra perks I enjoy such as the freedom to allow my children to spend the day with Daddy when he is off on a week day, the ability to just stay home and not leave the house if I don't want to, the chance to see my children learn to read, the privilege of being the one to introduce them to the books and characters I hold so dear from my childhood, the opportunity to let my children pursue areas of learning which inspire them, the joy of letting my children spend hours outside exploring creation, the chance for them to be with each other and form friendships among themselves, the time to allow the older ones to be a part of the little ones lives as they grow, instead of being off at school all day, the luxury of just deciding to pick up and do something wonderful when the opportunity presents itself, and not be ruled by the school schedule.... I could go on, but then it might start sounding "preachy" - and I promised not to do that :)

So, while I recognize that some day circumstances may require that my children go to school, for now, when they are so young and impressionable, I will treasure the time God gives me with them, and do my best to live up to the job he has called me to do.

I've read through this numerous times and just love it so much. It is so well put. I am wanting to have a "philosophy" for our home education and I want it written down. I was wondering if I could use this as a template in creating my own? Thank you.

susan sophia - you are welcome to use any and all of it! It certainly is not all original to me. I have read so many other homeschoolers' philosophies as I tried to put mine into words and I am sure I have taken things from many others. BTW - I so enjoy seeing the photos of your farm - our modest area is nothing compared to what you are doing, but I do so love vegetables from our garden, and apples from our trees - and it is fun to see all the wonderful things you all produce!

I was wondering if sometime you might be willing to share with the blogging world what your daily schedule might look like. I have MOTH and Holly's book but still this is by far one of my biggest hurdles...planning and scheduling. You have four children like I do (although younger I think) and I just wonder what your day might look like.

Thank you! (regarding the farm) I feel my efforts are very modest but a dream I've always had. I hope my garden will get bigger every year. It's hard to garden in this part of the country because of so much rain.

schedule posts are in progress, I was trying to put together the posts on my teacher planner, which includes my schedule and other things, just have not managed to finish it all (and homeschool at the same time :) But, yes, I will be posting on our routines soon.

Wow! Well-said! You expressed some of the very things on my own heart. Kindred spirits! I'm linking this post from my blog - hope that's ok.Like the others, I look forward to your schedule/organizer posts.Keep the good stuff coming!

Very nicely put! I've often thought of posting on this topic but can never seem to pull together the right words as you have done so well. I LOVE homeschooling and hope that God will make it my calling for many more years!Found you through Doing the Next Thing and I'll be sure to return. Lovely blog header!Andrea

By the way, I love the ideas of the boxes for Holy Week! Someone else from our parish found them and posted a link to your blog on Facebook... It wasn't until I scrolled through your other blog and saw pictures (including my family in church!) from the homeschooling conference, that I figured out who you are!

Search This Blog

Follow by Email

About Me

III Kingdoms 19:11-12

"Behold, the Lord will pass by, and before the Lord, a great and powerful wind will be rending the mountains and shattering the rocks; but the Lord will not be in the wind. After the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord will not be in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there will be a fire, but the Lord will not be in the fire. After the fire, there will be a sound of a gentle breeze, and the Lord will be there."

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she may help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.Luke 10:40-42